Claims:
1. A linear node tubular lighting system including a plurality of discreet tubular light sources that are disposed linearly with different fixture length to form a loop like formation of rail comprising of:
a node configured to couple one or more tube lightings and house the electronic connections therein; wherein
the said coupling includes a minimum of three locking features with electromechanical connectors at three different locations.

2. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking features include two metal connectors connected to the two pins of the said tubular lighting and the third locking feature includes a plastic snap clip.

3. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said node include a number of modules that provide control, power, alongwith a plurality of connectors for supply of the power to the tube lighting and further enables the holding of the said tube in desired position and location.

4. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said metal connector clips are designed differently for each corresponding live and neutral pins present in the end cap of the said tubular lighting.

5. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said metal connector clip consists of a (pin) guider feature which provides an entry path for the pins of the tube; wherein
after passing through the pin guider, the pins of the tube are secured to the metal connector clip via the curve-flat profile providing a firm lock and the required surface contact for effective electrical connection.

6. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said metal connector clip along with the plastic snap firmly secure and grip the tubular lighting and node at the same time.
7. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said plastic snap clip includes a rib structure configured for restricting the horizontal movement of the tubular lighting.

8. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said node house the electronic connections for the tube lamps alongwith control electronics, power supplies, microprocessors, sensing devices, and/or communication devices for IoT connectivity.

9. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical connection include wiring assembly which ensure a poka yoke setup.

10. The linear node tubular lighting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the Live part of wiring assembly of tube at one of the tube mounting end always connects to the Live part of the tube mounted at the other tube mounting end and never cause any shot circuit.

, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to various aspects of a linear tube light fixture. More particularly, the present invention discloses a linear node lighting system which include a plurality of discreet tube light are disposed by snapping effortlessly onto suspended nodes to create delightful overhead constellations along the ceiling.
BACKGROUND ART
Over the years, various types of illumination assemblies and devices for indoor and / or outdoor illumination have been developed, such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, halogen lamps, and light emitting diodes. An incandescent lamp generates light by energizing a thin filament, such as a tungsten filament, and heating the filament to a very high temperature so as to glow to produce visible light. The incandescent bulb emits yellow or white. The incandescent bulb is very inefficient because a high proportion of the energy input is lost as heat. A fluorescent lamp energizes mercury vapor, which produces ultraviolet (UV) light. The ultraviolet light is then absorbed by the phosphor coating inside the lamp to light the phosphor coating or to produce fluorescence. The most common formats are 1/4 inch (T2) in diameter, 5/8 inch (T5) in diameter, and 1 inch (T8) in diameter, with lengths ranging from about 6 inches to 8 feet. A 4 foot long, 1 inch (T8) diameter fluorescent lamp is one of the most widely deployed lamps in the world in commercial and industrial settings.
Although the heat emitted by fluorescent lamps is much less than the heat emitted by incandescent lamps, energy is also lost during the generation of UV light and the conversion of UV light into visible light. If the lamp breaks, exposure to mercury can occur. Linear fluorescent lamps are often 5 to 6 times more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but have a lifetime of about 10,000 hours and 20,000 hours. There are also fluorescent lights that flash, and the quality of fluorescent lights tends to be strong white due to the lack of broadband frequencies. Most fluorescent lights are not compatible with dimmers.
A typical fluorescent overhead lighting assembly includes an electronic ballast, a starter and wiring, and one or more fluorescent tubes to reflect emitted light downward to the floor for overhead ceiling lighting. A ceiling fixture is provided comprising an outer housing including a metallic concave reflector disposed above the lamp. The ballast associated with the light fixture converts the AC line voltage into DC power provided to the fluorescent tube. Also, the ballast reduces the power supply to a voltage level suitable for use in a fluorescent tube. In order to energize the current through the ionized gas in the fluorescent tube, a starter circuit is required which provides a voltage pulse. Certain types of fixtures are adapted to be integrated into the drop ceiling support grid, and are incorporated as suspended pattern ceiling tiles in a grid pattern to diffuse and / or focus the emitted light. May include a transparent or translucent lens. Another type of fastener is configured to be attached to the main structural ceiling. The low ceiling fixture is suspended from the ceiling using chains or cabling.
Conventional fluorescent light fixtures also include a mounting bracket that secures a light socket for holding and electrically connecting the fluorescent lamp. Fluorescent tube lamps typically utilize a bi-pin / 2-pin means of the tubular body, which mechanically supports the tubular body in operation with the light socket or lamp holder of the ceiling light fixture and to the power supply provides an electrical connection of the illumination source. The bi-pin is inserted into the slot of the lamp holder and then rotated to ensure connection.
Light emitting diode (LED) lighting is particularly useful. Light emitting diodes offer any advantages to incandescent and fluorescent light sources, including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved robustness, smaller size, faster switching, and excellent durability and reliability. LEDs emit more light than incandescent bulbs per watt. The LEDs can be very small and can be easily installed on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may, for example, comprise a conventional printed circuit board, a special purpose printed circuit board (e.g. flexible printed circuit board), single-sided, double-sided, multilayer, or any other suitable type of wiring board. All of these are collectively referred to herein as "printed circuit boards" or "PCBs". The LEDs can be activated and turned on very quickly and can be easily dimmed. LEDs emit cool light with very little infrared light. These appear in many colors that are generated without the need for filters. Different colored LEDs may be mixed to produce white light. White LED lamps have an operating life of = 50,000 hours, which is much longer than the average life of incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lamps. Another important advantage of LED lighting is the reduction of power consumption. The efficiency of the LED circuit is close to 35%, ie 35% of the electrical energy is converted to light energy. The remaining 65% is lost as heat energy. However, incandescent bulbs operate at about 5% efficiency, and 95% of the electrical energy is lost as heat. LED based solid state lighting (SSL) is now the mainstream technology, replacing incandescent, halogen and compact fluorescent lamps in commercial, industrial and household use. In the context of the present invention, "light emitting diode" and "LED" also mean organic light emitting diodes.
The most common type of LED tube lamp is retrofitted to an insertable and rotatable lamp holder attached to a conventional fluorescent ceiling light fixture, known in the industry as a "tombstone" lamp holder. Such lamp holders are connected to the AC line voltage. These lamp holders were originally developed to engage a pair of power pins that cantilevered out of the end cap of a cylindrically shaped fluorescent lamp. LED tube lamps are now available that mimic this bi-pin end cap configuration and are directly retrofitted to the tombstone lamp holder. This connector format has been widely deployed for decades throughout the industry but has some drawbacks. The exposed pins at the end of the linear tube lamp are susceptible to damage for delivery and installation. The lamp body must be located at a first angular orientation to guide the pins into the lamp holder attached to the support / reflector, and then be rotated to provide mechanical security and electrical connection. Installation requires the exact initial angular orientation of the lamp body and then control of the repositioning of the lamp body to simultaneously install the pins at both ends of the lamp body. In this process, one or more of the pins are often misaligned so no electrical connection is established. The same misalignment may cause a dangerous mechanical connection, which may cause the lamp body to fall off the connector and thereby be damaged or destroyed.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward various aspects of a linear light fixture. In some embodiments, a linear light fixture (1) and node (5) system is disclosed. In some embodiments, a plurality of discreet light sources (Fig 1) that are disposed along the modified end cap (4) and different fixture length to form a loop like formation of the rail. In some embodiments, the node (5) can include control, fitting arrangements, electrical serial / parallel connection circuitry, power distribution circuitry, suspension arrangement.
Therefore such as herein described there is provided a linear node tubular lighting system including a plurality of discreet tubular light sources that are disposed linearly with different fixture length to form a loop like formation of rail comprising of a node (5) configured to couple one or more tube lightings and house the electronic connections therein; wherein the said coupling includes a minimum of three locking features with electromechanical connectors at three different locations.
In a principle embodiment (Fig 4), there is provided a system of tubes snapping effortlessly onto suspended nodes to create delightful overhead constellations (Fig 1). Various types of patterns can be made that tessellate symmetrically, or asymmetrically, while seamlessly transmitting current from one node to the next via tube.
In another embodiment there is provided a node which is characterized by number of tubes that can snap to it and the angle of separation between the tubes. For a 2-way 120o node (5) there are provision for two tubes to be mounted at angle of 120o to each other (9). Tubes are connected to the nodes via an electromechanical connector assembly present at the tube mounting end of the node (9). The Nodes electromechanical connector assembly consists of a plastic snap clip (female connector) (6), a left metal connector clip (7) and a right metal connector clip (8).
In another embodiment there is provided a corresponding counter electromechanical connector assembly is present in the end cap of the tube. It consists of a pair of metal pin (Live and Neutral) (3) and a snap clip male connector (2).
In another embodiment (Fig 4), for creating continuous pattern to work the tubes are mounted to the nodes vertically. Hence, the electromechanical connections are designed considering vertical entry.
In another embodiment (Fig 5) two unique metal connector clips (7),(8) are designed each for the corresponding live and neutral pins (3) present in the end cap of the tube.
In another embodiment the said metal connector clip consists of a (pin) guider feature (10) which provides an entry path for the pins of the tube (3). After passing through the pin guider, the pins (3) of the tube are secured to the metal connector clip (7) via the curve-flat profile feature (12). Apart from providing a firm lock, this feature also provides the required surface contact (11) for effective electrical connection (13).
In another embodiment for providing a good “Degree of Freedom” minimum three locking features at three different locations are required (14). As already two locking features (two metal connectors of Nodes(7) (8) connected to the two pins (3) of the tube) are provided and a plastic snap clip (6) is provided and its corresponding counterpart feature in the endcap of the tube (2). With these three locking features (14) we have ensured a good degree of freedom. To further ensure that we have restriction in movement along the tube we have provided a rib (15) in the plastic snap clip (6) that along with its counter feature (2) in the end cap of the tube restricts the horizontal movement.
In another embodiment (fig 9) an electronic circuit is provided in order to achieve a Live to Live path and Neutral to Neutral path. Now our assembly is such that when we see the pin mounting surface, we will find Live on the Left and Neutral on the right. To ensure a poka yoke setup we have wired the Node in such a way that the Live part of tube at one of the tube mounting end always connects to the Live part of the tube mounted at the other tube mounting end and thus will never cause a shot circuit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Fig 1 illustrates a system of tubes snapping effortlessly onto suspended nodes to create delightful overhead constellations in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 2 illustrates a Node wherein a number of tubes can snap to it and the angle of separation between the tubes in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 3 illustrates an electromechanical connector assembly present in the end cap of the tube in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 4 illustrates the concept of creating continuous pattern to work wherein the tubes to be mounted to the nodes vertically in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 5 illustrates two unique metal connector clips each for the corresponding live and neutral pins present in the end cap of the tube in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 6 illustrates metal connector clip consists of a (pin) guider feature which provides an entry path for the pins of the tube in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 7 illustrates details of the plastic snap clip which is third mechanical locking features in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 8 illustrates the electromechanical connection assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Fig 9 illustrates the electrical connection circuit we need to achieve a Live to Live path and Neutral to Neutral path in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

In the prior art, there is available a plug connecter or exposed pins (3) with generally circular body portion of standardized dimensions allowing for insertion into standardized female connector jacks (7, 8). The standard female jack of the type commonly incorporated into node (5). The jack comprises housing having outer sidewalls (12), and with an opening through the proximal end wall (10) providing access to internal receptacle, which is sized to receive a portion of body of plug. The plug includes spring-loaded tab, which sits in groove of the receptacle when plug is inserted into jack (12). The tab depresses as the plug is inserted through in initial insertion position into receptacle until it snaps back to its natural position to lock plug in the receptacle (13) and prevent the plug from backing out of jack. The tab is depressed to release the plug from jack.

FIGS. 1 illustrate a novel operable linear tube lighting system. The system includes connector assemblies designed to securely mount networkable linear tube lamps to a newly designed tube lamp lighting fixtures. In the present lighting system of tubes snapping effortlessly onto suspended nodes to create delightful overhead constellations is disclosed. Various types of patterns can be made that tessellate symmetrically, or asymmetrically, while seamlessly transmitting current from one node to the next via tube.

As shown in FIG. 2, connector systems contemplated by the invention permit installing a tube lamp into a lighting fixture comprising a node. In general, a tube lamp as available in the market comprises of an elongate body portion including two tubular metallic pins (3) at the ends of the circumference of the tubular body, and said tubular body covers the portion attached to the said pins at its ends. The said node (5) herein discloses is an article that is characterized by number of tubes that can snap to it and the angle of separation between the tubes. For a 2way 120o node there are provision for two tubes to be mounted at angle of 120o to each other (9). Tubes are connected to the nodes via an electromechanical connector assembly present at the tube mounting end of the node (9). The Nodes electromechanical connector assembly consists of a plastic snap clip (female connector) (6), a left metal connector clip (7) and a right metal connector clip (8).

The node (5) is a connective piece that couples with one or more tube lamps and can house the electronic connections for the tube lamps in the housing, control electronics, power supplies, microprocessors, sensing devices, and/or communication devices for IoT connectivity. The tube lamps (1), for example, can come in any number of lengths such as 2ft, 4ft etc. A tube lamp (1) and a node (5) can be, further equipped with mechanisms by which the two components can be easily and intuitively connected to each other and mounted to the ceiling structure to form a linear run of lighting that behaves as a coordinated system that is mechanically, electrically and/or communicatively connected (Fig 1).

As illustrated in the Fig 3, a corresponding counter electromechanical connector assembly (4) is present in the end cap of the tube. It consists of a pair of metal pin (Live and Neutral) (3) and a snap clip male connector (2). Further for the concept of creating continuous pattern to work it is required that the tubes are to be mounted to the nodes vertically as shown in Fig 4. Hence, the said electromechanical connection is designed considering the vertical entry of the tube lamps (1).

The Node (5) can include several modules that provide control, power, a plurality of connectors for giving the power to the tube lamp and further provide holding of the same in desired position and location. Two unique metal connector clips (7) (8) are therefore designed each for the corresponding live and neutral pins (3) present in the end cap of the tube as shown in Fig 5. The unique design metal connector clip consists of a (pin) guider feature (10) which provides an entry path for the pins (3) of the tube (1). After passing through the pin guider, the pins of the tube are secured to the metal connector clip via the curve-flat profile feature (12). Apart from providing a firm lock, this feature also provides the required surface contact (11) for effective electrical connection (13). The Fig 8 illustrates that the metal connector clip (7) (8) along with the plastic snap (6) firmly secure and grip the tube and node at the same time.

The node further includes a plastic snap clip (6) connection as discussed earlier and illustrated under Fig 7 . In order to have a good “Degree of Freedom” a minimum of three locking features at three different locations are required. In the assembly there is already provided two locking features (two metal connectors of Nodes (7) (8) connected to the two pins (3) of the tube), therefore a plastic snap clip (6) has been designed in order to meet the requirement which had its corresponding counterpart feature in the endcap of the tube (2). With these three locking features a good degree of freedom is ensured. To further ensure that a restriction in movement along the tube is required, there is provided a rib (15) in the plastic snap clip (6) that along with its counter feature (2) in the end cap of the tube restricts the horizontal movement as shown in Fig 7, 8 respectively.

To have a perfect circuit there was a need to achieve a Live to Live path and Neutral to Neutral path. The wiring of Tubes and Nodes are designed such that ensuring the system has a poka yoke set-up which will not cause any short circuit.

Therefore, the wiring assembly inside the node is designed such that when we see the pin mounting surface, we will find Live on the Left and Neutral on the right. To ensure a poka yoke setup we have wired the Node in such a way that the Live part of tube at one of the tube mounting end always connects to the Live part of the tube mounted at the other tube mounting end and thus will never cause a shot circuit as illustrated in Fig 9.

In an exemplary embodiment the node can also accommodate IoT sensor coupled with controller. Sensor can include one or more of a motion detector, presence or proximity sensor, occupancy sensor, heat sensor, fire sensor, smoke detector, chemical sensor, camera, and/or photosensor. Sensor can be coupled with controller and/or other nodes based on a signal(s) from sensor.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.